Long Beach, Washington – Boater Rescued After Water Vessel Drifts Close to Surf

Long Beach, Washington  (January 3, 2020) – One man was rescued after his water vessel went adrift at Cape Disappointment and went close to the surf on Friday. According to KOMO News, the Coast Guard responded to the incident via aircrew, and the man was taken to Astoria, Oregon. The boater was later reported to be in stable condition.

According to the report, the man’s vessel had lost power and mast had fallen, preventing him from entering his cabin to avoid danger. The man then called the US Coast Guard at the Cape Disappointment Station, and aircrew arrived by 3:35 p.m. to extricate the boater. The boat was reported to be recovered at a later date, when weather conditions were safe for the operation.

About Boat Accidents

Like any other vehicle, boats can be involved in dangerous accidents. According to data from the American Boating Association, in the year 2016 a total of 4463 recreational boating accidents were reported, with 701 deaths and 2903 injuries. Additionally, in 80% of accidents where the cause of death was known, the victims of fatal boats accidents drowned, with 83% of drowning victims not wearing a life jacket. Additionally, in 171 known accidents, at least one person was struck by a propeller, resulting in 24 deaths and 175 injuries. As for the type of vessel used in these accidents, the highest percentage of deaths was associated with open motorboats at 47%, followed by kayaks at 13% and canoes with 9%. As for the cause of the accidents, alcohol is know to be the leading known contributing factor to fatal boat accidents. Other cause of accidents included operator inattention, operator inexperience, improper lookout, excessive speed, and machinery failure.

Preventing boating accidents comes down to ensuring boat safety regulations are followed. Like with any other vehicle, the vessel itself must be checked to make sure it is safe to use. Proper knowledge of the area where one will be boating is also encouraged. It is also important to make sure that all people on the boat have access to safety devices such as life jackets. Preventing accidents ensures not only our safety, but the safety of others.

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